Reflection on Technology Purchasing Recommendations May 26, 2010
As the unofficial “Tech Person” at my school, my principal asked me to make recommendations for new document cameras and projectors for our school site. We had a budget and I needed to order 3 sets for classrooms.
The first thing I needed to do was get a bit of an education in the different specifications for the projectors. It has been my experience that the projectors are a bigger factor in usability than the cameras. There were some projectors we had that I did not like, and I didn’t want to get any more of those. There was another model we had that was since discontinued that we were very pleased with. So I wanted to get the specs for those models such as lumens, output etc.
Now I actually had a benchmark for the units I needed to buy. I just needed to find some units that were within budget, met those specs, and were well rated by users. Thank you web 2.0 and buyer comments on the websites.
It was interesting that I was doing this during the class EDLD 5365 on Web Design. Some of the sites I visited were truly abysmal. All the components we had been learning about like search functions, easy navigation, etc. were missing from many of those e-commerce sites (Kaiser, 2006). I don’t know if these companies could survive outside of the educational market.I kept thinking that no one that had a choice would use any of them!
Self-Assessment
I wanted to find the best equipment I could given the budget I was given. I used the specifications of the equipment we had as a benchmark. I had to learn about the user satisfaction, reliability, and features of the different projectors and document readers. I used this technical information along with my own experience to inform my purchasing recommendations.
Learn as a Learner
In these times of shrinking budgets, I wanted to get the best mix of value and durability. I think I accomplished the goal. The principal took my recommendations and so far the teachers are happy with the equipment. I asked teachers what they liked about the equipment they had. I also interacted with people via web 2.0 and user ratings.
Lifelong Learning Skills
I enjoy being part of the budget process and making purchasing decisions. That may be because I have seen so many poor decisions, at least to my way of thinking, of technology acquisitions. I have found barely used piles of discarded electronics, that were never really implemented, even when new. I will continue to get input from the end users of any technology I have a hand in purchasing. It goes back to the idea of looking at technology holistically and how it improves the instructional program. It is not an acquisition for it’s own sake. I will continue to stay current on educational technology options using resources like Digital Directions, published by Education Week.
Implementation of ISTE Indicators
TF-VII.B.7: “Describe and identify recommended specifications for purchasing technology systems in school settings” (Williamson, & Redish, 2009, p.238). I recommended specific technology for use in the classroom.
References:
Digital Directions. (2010). Digital directions: Trends and advice for K-12 technology leaders. Retrieved from http://www.edweek.org/dd/
Kaiser, S.E. (2006). Deliver first class websites: 101 essential checklists. Collingwood, Vic: Sitepoint
Williamson, J., & Redish, T. (2009). ISTE’s technology facilitation and leadership standards:What every K-12 leader should know and be able to do. Eugene, OR: International Society for Technology in Education
Activity #8
Reflection on Technology Purchasing Recommendations May 26, 2010
As the unofficial “Tech Person” at my school, my principal asked me to make recommendations for new document cameras and projectors for our school site. We had a budget and I needed to order 3 sets for classrooms.
The first thing I needed to do was get a bit of an education in the different specifications for the projectors. It has been my experience that the projectors are a bigger factor in usability than the cameras. There were some projectors we had that I did not like, and I didn’t want to get any more of those. There was another model we had that was since discontinued that we were very pleased with. So I wanted to get the specs for those models such as lumens, output etc.
Now I actually had a benchmark for the units I needed to buy. I just needed to find some units that were within budget, met those specs, and were well rated by users. Thank you web 2.0 and buyer comments on the websites.
It was interesting that I was doing this during the class EDLD 5365 on Web Design. Some of the sites I visited were truly abysmal. All the components we had been learning about like search functions, easy navigation, etc. were missing from many of those e-commerce sites (Kaiser, 2006). I don’t know if these companies could survive outside of the educational market.I kept thinking that no one that had a choice would use any of them!
Self-Assessment
I wanted to find the best equipment I could given the budget I was given. I used the specifications of the equipment we had as a benchmark. I had to learn about the user satisfaction, reliability, and features of the different projectors and document readers. I used this technical information along with my own experience to inform my purchasing recommendations.
Learn as a Learner
In these times of shrinking budgets, I wanted to get the best mix of value and durability. I think I accomplished the goal. The principal took my recommendations and so far the teachers are happy with the equipment. I asked teachers what they liked about the equipment they had. I also interacted with people via web 2.0 and user ratings.
Lifelong Learning Skills
I enjoy being part of the budget process and making purchasing decisions. That may be because I have seen so many poor decisions, at least to my way of thinking, of technology acquisitions. I have found barely used piles of discarded electronics, that were never really implemented, even when new. I will continue to get input from the end users of any technology I have a hand in purchasing. It goes back to the idea of looking at technology holistically and how it improves the instructional program. It is not an acquisition for it’s own sake. I will continue to stay current on educational technology options using resources like Digital Directions, published by Education Week.
Implementation of ISTE Indicators
TF-VII.B.7: “Describe and identify recommended specifications for purchasing technology systems in school settings” (Williamson, & Redish, 2009, p.238). I recommended specific technology for use in the classroom.
References:
Digital Directions. (2010). Digital directions: Trends and advice for K-12 technology leaders. Retrieved from http://www.edweek.org/dd/
Kaiser, S.E. (2006). Deliver first class websites: 101 essential checklists. Collingwood, Vic: Sitepoint
Williamson, J., & Redish, T. (2009). ISTE’s technology facilitation and leadership standards:What every K-12 leader should know and be able to do. Eugene, OR: International Society for Technology in Education